Spring assembly



July 22, 1941. G. A. STACKHOUSE SPRING ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 3, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. v Geo/ ve i fifav/Mamse ATTORNEY y 1941. e. A. STACKHOUSE 2,250,039

SPRING ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 3, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l N VEN TOR.

I jiie /7. fi/z'z/f/mmse BY 6 %%W ATTORNEYQ July 22, 1941. G. A. STACKHOUSE SPRING ASSEMBLY Filed 1939 3 Sheet -s 3 QIQ (99 O QTQ - INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented July 22, 1941 NT OFFICE 2,250,0 9 w SPRING ASSEMBLY George A. Stackhouse, Oakland, Calif., assignor to L. A. Young Spring & Wire Corporation, De-

troit, Mich. I

Application January -s, 1929, Serial No. 248,990 01am. (o1. 5- 260) This invention relates to improvements in spring assembly.

'Themain objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved spring assembly for mattress cushions and the like which is effective in holding the sides of thespring assembly in desired position without the employment of transverse braces.

Second, to provide'a' spring assembly for upbolstered structures in which the border springs may yield under load or stress but are promptly returned to initial position when the distorting load is removed.

Third, to provide a spring filler or assembly for mattresses and the like which has in efiect a stiffened edge or border and at the same time one which may yield without permitting distortion. r

Fourth, to provide a spring assembly for mattresses and the like which is not likely to become distorted by rough handling and which doesnot require careful packaging to protect it from distortion stresses in handling or shipping.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of the invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of this invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings; in which: 7

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a mattress embodying the features of. my invention, certain of the springs and the mattress covering or upholstery being shfownconventionally, and part of the upper frame structure being omitted for clarity of illustration. 7

Fig. 2 is 'a plan view of one of the border mem bers embodying" my invention in its normal or outwardly bowed form.

3 isa fragmentary plan view illustrating steps in the assembling of the border frame to the body springs, certain of the frame structure not germane to the invention being omitted. I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in transverse section, the upholstery being illustrated by dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form or embodiment of my invention'in which a helical tie member is employed for securing the parts together and also showing a modified form of border springs,

Figfi6 is a fragmentary plan View of a still further modification or embodiment of my in- Vention, the original bowed form of the border member being indicated by dotted lines.

In the mattress embodiment of the invention illustrated l designates the upholstery of the mattress and as this forms no part of my invention it is not illustrated in detail. It is desired to point out, however, that the spring assembly of my invention obviates the necessity for providing special edge packing or stuifing in order to support helicals indicated at 3, the springs'being provided with offsets 4, as shown for instance in the patent toHeuer No. 1,907,541, issued May 9, 1933,

receiving the coils of the helicals so that the springs are eiiectively joined together in the rows. The border springs 5 are preferably of a structure similar to those shown in the said patent to Heuer, comprising flattened coils disposed to present a more effective supporting surface for the mattress upholstery. These springs 5 terminate in the extensions 6 which are connected to the adjacent springs of the rows by means of the helical tie members 3. It will be understood that instead of these helical tie members other suitable c'onnections'may be provided.

The border member 1 in the embodiment illustrated is formed of resilient or spring wire and has a plurality of loop-like inwardly disposed offsets 8 of substantial size which, as shown in Fig. 1, are disposed between the end coils of adjacent border springs and secured to certain of the border springs by means 'of clips 9. The reaches between these clips are secured to the border springs by means of similar clips I0. In Fig. 1 I have shown only one of these border members but it will be understood that there is a similar border member on opposite sides, and in. this embodiment they are shown as connected by border end members I I. The border members 1 are preferably initially bowed outwardly as shown in Fig. 2 and when secured to the body springs they are brought into a substantially straight position so that the tendency to return to bowed position exerts an outward pull on the connected springs of the assembly. Since there is an oppositely acting border member on the opposite side of the assembly the two border members act to pull outwardly on the connected rows of springs, maintaining them in upright position and also preventing sagging of the edges of the mattress. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 4 that in the structure shown the resilient wire border member I is employed on only one of the edges of the vertical sides of the mattress ment shown in Fig. 1 with the exception that instead of knotting as at [3 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 the extensions l2 of the end coils at the side of the mattress or cushion'opposite from the border member 1 terminate in arm-like projections l4 disposed in parallel relation to the flattened external portion of the end coil and engaged by the helical tie member l5 which is threaded or spiraled about said end coil of the border springs and around these arm extensions so that the parts are effectivly held in assembled relation. 0 7 V In the embodimentof my invention shown in Fig. 6 the opposed border members l6 are provided with loop-like offsets H which are arranged in overlapping relation to a pair of the body springs I8 and secured thereto by the clips 19, intermediate or reach portions of the border members being secured to the border springs by clips 2!]. v s

These border members are outwardly bowed in their original or initial form and are broughtinto straight position as indicated in Fig. 6. The border members 16 have their end portions 2| terminating in inwardly projecting joint portions 22 connected by the loops or clips 23. The springs are. shown conventionally in Fig. 6;but it will be understood that they are in practice connected by suitable means such as the helical tie members 3 best shown in Fig. 4. I have illustrated the border members with the offsets therein at the ends of the assembly but it will be readily understood that this type of border member may be continuous about the spring structure if that is deemed desirable. 7

Among the advantages which I have obtained is a neat straight border-with parts arranged so that there is a tendency to pull out rather than,

to pull in on the sides of the upholstery. While the border is very flexible under outward stresses or pressures, it readily comes back to position when the pressure or stress isreleased.

It is common practice toship mattresses in paper bags or wrappers and as a result many mattresses have been ruined because of the distortion resulting from the mattress being dropped on end in handling. This distorts the border frame members and it is quite impossible to restore the original position in an; upholstered structure.

Mattresses embodying my invention are not thus distorted as the loops permit endwise yielding of the border frame under "such conditions and theyreadily return to normal position. It might be said that these loops oroffsets serve as shock absorbers for the border "members. Further, they will allow substantial distortion of the border members, such as results when the mattress is ro1led,without permanently injuring the structure. j

The action or tendency of the border members to pull outwardly on 'thefbody spring assembly avoids the necessity for using braces, and such braces not only add undesirable rigidity at points 2,250,039 I but, unless carefully designed and positioned,

they are likely to be felt through the upholstery. The attachment of the offsets of the border members to the body springs maintains the border members in their proper position and prevents any twisting action thereof which might result if the offsets were not attached or supported.

There are various modifications and adaptations of my invention possible other than those I have illustrated, but I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

'Having thus described my invention, what I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. A spring assembly for mattresses and the like comprising body springs arranged in rows and including border springs having elongated and relatively narrow coils, the end coils of the border springs terminating in inwardly-projecting extensions to which adjacent body springs are connected, and a resilient wire border member connected to the flattened portions of the end coils of the border springs and having a plurality of inwardly-extending loop-like offsets of substantial width therein disposed between adjacent border springs, said offsets being connected by reaches of substantially greater length than the spacing of the arms of the offsets, at least certain of said ofisets being connected to the extension of an adjacent border spring, said border member being normally bowed outwardly but being restrained in a substantially straight position through its connections with the said border springs.

2. A spring assembly for mattresses and the like comprising body springs arranged in rows and including border springs having elongated and relatively narrow coils, the end coils of the border springs terminating in inwardly-projecting extensions to which adjacent body springs are connected, and a border member connected to the flattened portions of the end coils of the border springs and having a plurality of inwardly-extending loop-like offsets of substantial width therein disposed between adjacent border springs, said offsets being connected by reaches of sub stantia'11y greater length than the spacing of the arms of the offset-s, at least certain of said offsets being connected to the extension of an adjacent border spring.

3. A spring assembly for mattresses and the like comprising a plurality of rows of body springs, a border frame consisting of a pair of side members having loop-like offsets therein, the offsets being secured to the end coils of at least two springs of a transverse row of springs of the.

assembly and the portions of the border member between the ofisets being secured to the end coils of border springs intermediate those connected to the offsets, said border member por-. tions having end extensions connected to each other and connected to the end border springs of the assembly, said border members being of spring material and normally bowed outwardly so that when secured to the body springs in substantially straight position they act to exert an outward punch the body springs of the assembly. 4. A spring assembly for mattresses and the like comprising a plurality of rows of body springs, a border frame consisting of a'pair of side members having loop-like offsets therein, the offsetsbeing secured to the end coils of at least two springs of a transverse row of springs of the assembly and the portions of the border member between the offsets being secured to the end coils of border springs intermediate those connected to the offsets, said border member portions having end extensions connected to each other and connected to the end border springs of the assembly.

5. A spring assembly for mattresses and the like comprising a plurality of rows of body springs, a border frame consisting of a side member having loop-like offsets therein, the offsets being secured to the end coils of at least two springs of a transverse row of springs and the portions of the border member between the offsets being secured to the end coils of border springs intermediate those connected to the offsets.

6. A spring assembly for mattresses and the like comprising helically coiled body springs having their end coils connected in transverse rows, and a border frame consisting of oppositely disposed resilient side members having inwardly disposed open loop-like oifsets therein, end border members connecting the ends of said side members, said loop-like ofisets in the latter being of substantial length and the arms thereof being substantially spaced permitting springing and flexing in the loops and yielding of the border members to endwise thrust thereon, said border members having reaches of substantially greater length than the spacing of said arms connecting said loop-like portions, a plurality of said loops being connected to end coils of adjacent body springs, said resilient side border members being normally bowed outwardly but being restrained in substantially straight position through their connections with the body springs and acting to apply yielding transverse tension to the body springs.

'7. A spring assembly for mattresses and the like comprising helically coiled body springs having their end coils connected in transverse rows, and a border frame of resilient wire-like stock comprising oppositely disposed resilient side members connected to one another at the ends thereof by a pair of further border members and having inwardly disposed open looplike offsets therein, said loop-like oiTsets being of substantial length and the arms thereof being substantially spaced permitting springing and flexing in the loops and yielding of the side border members to endwise thrust thereon, said offsets being connected by reaches of substan- .tially greater length than the spacing of the least certain of said loop-like portions being secured to end coils of adjacent body springs, said border members being bowed outwardly but restrained in substantially straight position through their connections with the body springs, said offset carrying border members having reaches of substantially greater length than the spacing of said arms for connecting said looplike portions.

9. A spring assembly comprising body springs, and resilient border members disposed in opposed relation and connected at their ends, said border members each having a plurality of inwardly disposed loop-like portions therein, said loop-like portions being of substantial length and the arms of each thereof being substantially spaced, said loop-like portions being connected by reaches of substantially greater length than the spacing of said arms and at least certain of said loop-like portions being secured to end coils of adjacent body springs, said offset carrying border members having reaches of substantially greater length than the spacing of said arms for connecting said loop-like portions.

10. A spring assembly for mattresses and the like comprising a plurality of rows of body springs, and a border frame consisting of opposed members having aligned loop-like offsets therein, and a pair of further border members connected to the ends of said ofiset carrying members at least certain of said offsets being secured to end coils of certain of the rows of springs, said loops being open and of substantial length and the arms of the loops thereof being substantially spaced permitting springing and flexing and endwise yielding of said opposed border members, said offset carrying border members having reaches of substantially greater length than the spacing of said arms for connecting said loop-like portions.

GEORGE A. STACKHOUSE. 

